Current:Home > NewsSignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:Video shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks -Visionary Wealth Guides
SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:Video shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-06 17:09:46
One accused carjacker chose the wrong Starbucks drive-thru to target.
Dashcam footage released late last month shows the end of a police chase in Ocala,SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center Florida, in which suspect Michael Prouty, 39, was being pursued after he allegedly broke into a local resident's house and stole their purse, cell phone and Cadilliac car, according to police.
Following a short chase in which the Prouty allegedly damaged several other cars in the stolen vehicle, he crashed at an intersection and took off on foot, approaching cars sitting in a nearby Starbucks drive-thru.
This is where Army veteran Shane Spicer first laid eyes on the suspect.
Spicer told local affiliate FOX 35 Orlando that he was barely awake and waiting in line for his coffee fix when he saw the crash and subsequent foot chase unfold. It was then that Spicer said he saw Prouty forcing his way into another car lined up in the drive-thru.
"(He was) sprinting up to Starbucks, and he didn’t look like a Starbucks coffee drinker," Spicer told Fox 35. "Then he yanked the girl out of the car. And just kind of an instinctive, kind of reactionary thing."
March for Isreal livestream:'March for Israel' rally livestream: Supporters gather in Washington DC
Footage shows moment would-be carjacker is foiled
The released dashcam footage shows Prouty trying to enter a woman's vehicle from the driver's side in what police said was an attempted carjacking. Multiple outlets have since reported that the woman driving the car was also pregnant at the time.
Spicer can then be seen exiting his own vehicle and sprinting over to intervene, getting into the passenger side of the would-be victim's car to fight Prouty off. Bodycam footage from one of the arresting officers then shows Spicer chasing Prouty down and holding him until police are able to catch up and make the arrest.
In a press release, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also acknowledged another good Samaritan, Tom Episcopo, who he said slowed Prouty down earlier in the chase.
"We are proud of these two citizens for their heroic action, for helping our officers make the arrest, and for keeping our community safe," Chief Balken shared.
According to the release, Prouty has a lengthy criminal history and is facing multiple charges. Ocala police charged Prouty with fleeing and eluding, attempted carjacking, crash involving injuries, and resisting arrest, while authorities in Sumter County, where he stole the original vehicle, are charging him with home invasion, battery on a person over 65, and grand theft of a vehicle.
"I feel like if you’ve got the ability to watch out for someone, that you should," Spicer told Fox 35. "I would just hope that someone would do the same for my family."
Man crashes into deputies in wild video:Video shows man crashing car into Florida sheriff's deputies, injuring 2
veryGood! (12831)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations
- Chinese search engine company Baidu unveils Ernie 4.0 AI model, claims that it rivals GPT-4
- Putin meets Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán in first meeting with EU leader since invasion of Ukraine
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Rolls-Royce is cutting up to 2,500 jobs in an overhaul of the UK jet engine maker
- Phillies' Bryce Harper would play in 2028 L.A. Olympics if MLB players approved
- Putin begins visit in China underscoring ties amid Ukraine war and Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Trump's 'stop
- Los Angeles hit with verdict topping $13 million in death of man restrained by police officers
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Travis Barker's Son Landon Barker Shares His Struggles With Alcohol
- Russia is sending more forces to an eastern Ukraine city after its assault slows, analysts say
- Here's why gas prices are down, even in pricey California, as Israel-Hamas war escalates
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Fijian leader hopes Australian submarines powered by US nuclear technology will enhance peace
- Four men held in central Georgia jail escaped and a search is underway, sheriff says
- U.S. to settle lawsuit with migrant families separated under Trump, offering benefits and limiting separations
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Police search for suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street
IOC president Thomas Bach has done enough damage. Don't give him time to do more.
How much is that remote job worth to you? Americans will part with pay to work from home
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Stock market today: World shares gain on back of Wall Street rally as war shock to markets fades
President Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday: Sec. Blinken
Man faces misdemeanor for twice bringing guns to Wisconsin state Capitol, asking to see governor